tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6959958485486498332024-02-21T00:19:26.340-05:00Pastor A. A. McGhee's BlogA. A. McGhee is Pastor/Teacher of Greater Saint John Missionary Baptist Church in South Bend, Indiana. The purpose of this blog is to enhance creative writing skills, to enrich the lives of people, and to evangelize the world through faith building dialogue to the glory of God.Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-72996495122543211332015-02-24T08:27:00.000-05:002015-02-24T08:27:01.203-05:00Hello!I know what you are thinking. He has not blogged in so long, why now? That's a great question and when I find the answer, I will let you know. In the meantime I thought it would be feasible to at least try to get back in the swing of things in hopes of finding a flow. Since the last time I was here a lot has happened much of which I hope to share with you gradually. Please keep me in your prayers. My hope is to return with my first article tomorrow. Thanks in advance.Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-18767619667588658532013-10-26T15:48:00.001-04:002013-10-26T15:48:16.629-04:00Greetings!It's been a while since I've used this medium. I will try my best to get back in the habit. A lot has happened since my last post. Hopefully with time I will be able to fill you in on the details. Until then, I solicit your prayers and hope that you are well. Talk with you soon!Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-10486411925557111992011-08-25T16:09:00.000-04:002011-08-25T16:09:12.617-04:00Heaven<div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The light of heaven is the face of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The joy of heaven is the presence of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The melody of heaven is the name of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The harmony of heaven is the praise of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The theme of heaven is the work of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The employment of heaven is the service of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The duration of heaven is the eternity of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fullness of heaven is Jesus Himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What will make heaven such a special place is that for all of eternity we will enjoy the presence of Jesus. - D.L. Moody </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-70376403738387135352011-08-08T12:48:00.000-04:002011-08-08T12:48:38.378-04:00Sunday Synopsis <span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sunday was great @ GSJ. We decided to have <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>one service</u></i></b> and what an experience it was! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This gave us an opportunity to worship together as a church family on first Sunday which is a rare privilege.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For the past weeks our numbers have been down as is the case with many churches during the summer months. I was very pleased to see a strong showing of our membership.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Coming off a successful State Convention, we were happy to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>baptize four (4) young ladies</u></i></b> who came to Christ during our Youth Session.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thank God for the guests who graced us with their presence. It’s always good to have people join us for any and all our services.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The choir was very inspirational and uplifting with their singing. They were probably happier than anyone that we chose to have one service.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was able to resume my current preaching series from the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>gospel of John</u></b>. The series is entitled “Signs of the Savior.” My sermon focused on the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>fourth sign</u></b> recorded by John in chapter 6:1-13 which I labeled “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">So Much With So Little</b>.” <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were blessed to receive <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>two additional people in the church</u></i></b> with one being a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>candidate for baptism</u></i></b> and the other a parent of two of the aforementioned young ladies.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Again I reiterate, it was a great day to be at GSJ. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The time is fast approaching for our annual outside ‘Tent Service’ which will be held on August 21. This is one of our evangelistic opportunities to canvas the neighborhood to win people to Christ. A picnic will follow. I can’t wait. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope you will join us. Details are forthcoming. Take care.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-37306507573632124162011-07-28T21:50:00.009-04:002011-07-28T23:05:04.517-04:00IMBSC Annual Session<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church along with the Northwestern District Association eagerly anticipates the opportunity to host the 154<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> Annual Session of the Indiana Missionary Baptist State Convention. The session will be held July 30 – August 3, 2011 @ GSJ. Our Theme this year is "Foundation: What Are You Building?" taken from I Corinthians 3:9-13.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The following is a rough outline of what will take place:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: currentColor; height: 1464px; margin: auto auto auto 41.4pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 422px;"><tbody>
<tr style="height: 26.35pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 1pt solid windowtext; height: 26.35pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.45pt;" valign="top" width="155"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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Sat, July 30<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 26.35pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.85pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Youth Session<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">8:30am – 1:30pm<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 26.35pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.7pt;" valign="top" width="162"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Workshops<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">“The Dirt on Sex” and “Interviewing- Dress for Success”</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Presenters</u>:</b> Dr. Bruce Rose - Second Baptist – Bloomington and Mrs. Ruby Smith – New Salem Baptist - Indianapolis<o:p></o:p></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 27.9pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.45pt;" valign="top" width="155"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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Sat, July 30<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.85pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Brotherhood</u> Auxiliary<o:p></o:p></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">9:30 am<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.7pt;" valign="top" width="162"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Guest </u> </b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Pastor Sam Frison- Pilgrim Rest - Elkhart<o:p></o:p></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 27.9pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.45pt;" valign="top" width="155"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">Sat, July 30<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.85pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Music Department<o:p></o:p></b></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.7pt;" valign="top" width="162"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
9am– 2pm<o:p></o:p></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 26.35pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; height: 26.35pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.45pt;" valign="top" width="155"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">Sun, July 31<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 26.35pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.85pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pre-Convention Musical<o:p></o:p></b></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 26.35pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.7pt;" valign="top" width="162"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
6pm<o:p></o:p></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 27.9pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.45pt;" valign="top" width="155"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">Mon, Aug. 1<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.85pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Parent Body Session<o:p></o:p></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">9am<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.7pt;" valign="top" width="162"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Guest </u> </b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Pastor Douglas Tate, Jr. – Psalms Baptist, Indianapolis<o:p></o:p></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 26.35pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; height: 26.35pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.45pt;" valign="top" width="155"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
Mon-Tues, August 1-2<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 26.35pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.85pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Nurses Auxiliary<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">1pm<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 26.35pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.7pt;" valign="top" width="162"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Guest </u></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Pastor Steven Barnes – New<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>Testament – South Bend<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 27.9pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.45pt;" valign="top" width="155"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
Mon, Aug 1<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.85pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Welcome/Host Night<o:p></o:p></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">7pm<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.7pt;" valign="top" width="162"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">GSJ Mime/Choir<o:p></o:p></b></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 27.9pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.45pt;" valign="top" width="155"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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Tues, Aug 2<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.85pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Parent Body</u> Session<o:p></o:p></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">9am<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.7pt;" valign="top" width="162"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Guest </u></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Pastor Barney Lewis – New Peter’s Rock – South Bend<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr style="height: 27.9pt; mso-yfti-irow: 8;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.45pt;" valign="top" width="155"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
Tues-Wed, August 2-3<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.85pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Ushers Auxiliary<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">1pm<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.7pt;" valign="top" width="162"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Guest</u> </b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Pastor Lee Montgomery – Antioch Baptist – South Bend<o:p></o:p></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 27.9pt; mso-yfti-irow: 9;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.45pt;" valign="top" width="155"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
Tues-Wed, August 2-3<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.85pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
Women’s Home & Foreign Mission – 1pm<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.7pt;" valign="top" width="162"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Guest </u> </b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Dr. Kenneth B. Ladd - Evansville<o:p></o:p></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 27.9pt; mso-yfti-irow: 10;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.45pt;" valign="top" width="155"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">Tues, Aug 2<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.85pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Lott Carey Mission Night<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">7pm<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.7pt;" valign="top" width="162"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Special Guest<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Pastor William J. Wyne – Second Baptist – Battle Creek, MI<o:p></o:p></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 27.9pt; mso-yfti-irow: 11; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.45pt;" valign="top" width="155"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Wednesday, Aug 3 </div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 157.85pt;" valign="top" width="210"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Parent Body Session<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">7pm<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 27.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.7pt;" valign="top" width="162"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Presidential Sermon<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Dr. Wayne L. Moore – Convention President – Pastor, Olivet Baptist - Indianapolis<o:p></o:p></div></td> </tr>
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I solicit your prayers for this meeting and for myself as I will serve as Host Pastor, District Moderator and First Vice President. Stop by if you can. God Bless.</div>Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-38774604230942437072011-07-26T14:08:00.000-04:002011-07-26T14:08:41.904-04:00Help for the Leader<div style="text-align: justify;"> <i><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">But you should select from all the people able men, God fearing, trustworthy and hating bribes. Place them over the people as officials of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens... they can bring you every important case but judge every minor case themselves. In this way you will lighten your load and they will bear it with you. - <strong>Exodus 18:21-23</strong></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 2.4pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 2.4pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="color: #f1c232;">The following is an excerpt from a book I recently purchased and placed into my library. The author’s transliteration of Exodus 18 was very insightful to me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope you enjoy!<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 2.4pt 0in; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 2.4pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One day Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came up over a sand dune and looked down on a long line of people. It was an interesting group, and it was apparent that all were not happy wanderers. <i>Fights, arguments, discord</i> and <i>disenchantment</i> would be good words to describe this group of Israelites. Every once in a while a person would just get discouraged and leave the line.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jethro noted that at the head of the line was his son-in-law, sitting under a tent listening to the various people who made their way to him. So he went down to see what was going on. “Mo,” he said, “what’s going on here?” “Well, honored father-in-law,” Moses responded, “God made me these people’s leader. They have disputes, and I am here to listen to them and settle the problems. I sit here day in and day out listening to all these gripes, solving personal and marital problems, and trying to explain theological issues.” Jethro was astonished. Had not Moses read Drucker during his years in the Pharaoh’s palace? In the kind words of a father-in-law, Jethro responded; “You’re crazy!” Having expressed his true sentiment, he went on to explain, “If you keep this up, you are going to experience burnout in ministry. What will become of my daughter if you go over the deep end? But worse yet, what will become of the people? God has made you their leader. If you are not able to lead because of fatigue, then they will suffer, and God’s purpose for them will not be achieved.” Now Jethro was a Midianite priest, which made him a leader. Good leaders know you do not pose a problem without providing a resolution. So he told Moses, “Select some men who are prominent in the nation. Look for quality men who are moral in character and righteous in virtue. Place them in charge of portions of the nation. Don’t overwhelm them. Assign the most capable person to groups of one thousand, then give them two lieutenants who can lead five hundred each of that group. Keep dividing the group into smaller units with leaders of each subgroup of one hundred, fifty, ten, or whatever. Now each subgroup leader is to be responsible to the leader above him. Let these various leaders solve problems at their level. If they can’t solve the problem, then they have someone over them whom they can take it to. That way you can reserve your decision-making responsibilities for the biggies—responding only to the issues that the leaders of the thousands bring to you or issues to which God directs you. Now if you listen to my sage advice, not only will it be easier for you, but you will develop some leaders as well.” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Robert Welch; Church Administration: Creating Efficiency for Effective Ministry, p 2</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-81964920772074498802011-07-24T23:14:00.000-04:002011-07-24T23:14:45.642-04:00Sunday Summary<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today was a great day @GSJ. I woke up more refreshed than I’ve been in a long time. Saturdays are usually difficult for me as far as going to sleep is concerned. Fortunate for me, I was able to get to bed earlier than normal which helped a great deal.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I arrived at church eager to continue our current preaching series “Signs of the Savior” with a message entitled “The Quest for Wholeness” taken from John 5:1-9. The message was well received in both services and two were added to the church. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Praise God!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the afternoon, we traveled to Benton Harbor, Michigan to fellowship with Pastor James Childs and Progressive Baptist Church on the occasion of their 65<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> Church Anniversary. My heart was warmed by the hospitality of Progressive as they eagerly anticipated our arrival. They were very friendly and they fed us well. There was a sweet spirit in this church and the service was hot from the very beginning. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was overwhelmed by the response of our congregation as many of them decided to join us. The selections by our choir were very inspirational and uplifting as they had been most of the day. When preaching time came, I was lead to preach a passage from Nehemiah 4:1-6. The title of the message was “So Built We the Wall.” Turns out it was exactly what they needed and the response was very favorable. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thank God for the area pastors who came by to show their support. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few of them I became acquainted with through our National Convention. When they learned I was in town, they took time out of their busy schedules to worship with us. I appreciate their kindness.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I retire for the evening, I pray that the Lord would refresh me for the work ahead this week. There are a few loose ends that we must take care of in anticipation of our State Annual Session which will be held @ GSJ, July 30- August 3. Pray for us as we host this great session and if you are in the area, stop by. God Bless!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-35682485992720856442011-07-16T23:11:00.001-04:002011-07-16T23:14:27.668-04:00Take Comfort<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A farmer needed a hired man. After trying several workers, who all failed to meet his standards, the farmer began to feel desperate. Then another worker applied for the job. The farmer asked him, "What qualifies you for this job?" The man answered, "I can sleep at night." That didn't sound too promising, but since he was desperate, the farmer hired the newcomer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That night there was a terrific thunderstorm. The farmer awoke, ran to the hired man's room and tried to arouse him. He could not. Muttering to himself something like, "I'll take care of him in the morning," the farmer went outside into the night and the driving rain. He found the barn doors securely closed, the hay stack well covered and the tractor put away in the shed. There was nothing he could do but return to the house and go back to bed. Then he understood why his new hired man had said, "I can sleep at night." He had taken care of everything and was prepared for the storm. Isn't it comforting to know that when we have prepared ourselves for Jesus' coming by faithfully doing the things the Lord has made clear to us, He will take care of those things beyond our control?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><br />
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Treasures from John- Rod Mattoon, Volume 2. pp. 121</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-38893815580428791452011-07-13T22:53:00.001-04:002011-07-13T23:00:52.163-04:00Shine Your Light<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Once upon a time a little candle stood in a room filled with other candles, most of them much larger and much more beautiful than she was. Some were ornate and some were rather simple, like herself. Some were white, some were blue, some were pink, and some were green. She had no idea why she was there, and the other candles made her feel rather small and insignificant.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When the sun went down and the room began to get dark, she noticed a large man walking toward her with a ball of fire on a stick. She suddenly realized that the man was going to set her on fire. "No, no!" she cried, "Aaaaagghhh! Don't burn me, please!" But she knew that she could not be heard and prepared for the pain that would surely follow.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To her surprise, the room filled with light. She wondered where it came from since the man had extinguished his fire stick. To her delight, she realized that the light came from herself. Then the man struck another fire stick and, one by one, lit the other candles in the room. Each one gave out the same light that she did.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">During the next few hours, she noticed that, slowly, her wax began to flow. She became aware that she would soon die. With this realization came a sense of why she had been created. "Perhaps my purpose on earth is to give out light until I die," she mused and that's exactly what she did.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Rod Mattoon – Treasures from Treasured Psalms, Volume 3, pp.152<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div></div>Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-49451602901614557292011-07-11T19:01:00.001-04:002011-07-11T19:02:05.244-04:00Memphis Memories<div style="text-align: justify;">T<span style="font-family: Calibri;">his past week I was privileged to attend The Frank Ray Expository Preaching, Teaching and Church Growth Conference at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Frank E. Ray Sr., Pastor of New Salem, founded the conference nine years ago out of a burden to enhance both pastor and people in areas critical to church growth.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Attending the conference afforded me an opportunity to be blessed by so many pastors including, but not limited to, Dr. Frank E. Ray, President, Dr. George Waddles of Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Billy Bell of Dallas, Texas, Dr. R.A. Williams of Los Angeles, California, Dr. Arthur Jackson of Miami Gardens, Florida, Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood of Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Timothy Winters of San Diego, California and Dr. Anthony Pettus of Fort Wayne, Indiana. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was my first time attending since 2005. This experience proved to be fruitful and timely. I desperately need to get away so that I could be retooled, revived and refreshed in my ministry. As pastors, because we pour so much of ourselves into the congregations we serve; it becomes needful to allow other pastors to pour into our lives. I was not disappointed. With great anticipation, I look forward to evaluating the results that come only through the implementation of the things I gleaned while in the presence of such great men. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When my family learned of my intentions to attend this conference they were more than happy to come along just to get away. I knew that if I were to accommodate them, I would have to balance my time so that they could take in some of the scenery rather than stay at the hotel all the time. This proved to be a great undertaking seeing that I never did it this way before but we made it work. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were able to spend some time together during conference breaks visiting the following locations<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Neely’s Barbecue<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Graceland (Home of Elvis Presley)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Beale Street ( BB King’s Club Restaurant)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fed Ex Forum (Home of Memphis Grizzlies)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Civil Rights Museum at The Lorraine Motel<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Out of all the places we were able to visit this time around, The Civil Rights Museum made the most impression on all of us. The introductory film entitled “The Witness” featuring and narrated by Rev. Samuel “Billy” Kyles, set the tone for our visit and deepened our appreciation for the museum and the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was especially moving for our twelve year old son who is still talking about it. My wife and I were happy to see him get this privilege so that he will not squander any opportunities to succeed in life. We anticipate that this and other experiences will shape his drive and serve as motivation to put his best foot forward in future endeavors. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After leaving this historic site, we traveled less than a mile down G. E. Patterson Avenue to visit Temple of Deliverance Church of God in Christ. The late Bishop G. E. Patterson was quite a preaching personality and genuine person and I wanted to see the church where he served. We were moved by the warmth of one of the church elders who was so kind to take us on a tour of the facility. What an awesome sight we beheld as we walked into their 5,000 seat sanctuary. It really is as big as it appears on television.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I close this summation of our trip to Memphis, I thank God for the revival I experienced and the time my family shared together. Hopefully we can do it again real soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-22183047872783829362011-07-04T11:12:00.001-04:002011-07-04T11:20:27.556-04:00Independence Day<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcm63VAZlOyt0JZ0YTDP_BDsoLzbTuHg0DCciZp_8rm9q7MYPjd3WfWMKW0V_GLSX4WLUxLnRyTpfgWBaL-3bWov-c2RTg1j6lW52zqdcehBjK5qg-WxDs1wbvM_T2T5YB2l9RnX9Ltw/s1600/july+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcm63VAZlOyt0JZ0YTDP_BDsoLzbTuHg0DCciZp_8rm9q7MYPjd3WfWMKW0V_GLSX4WLUxLnRyTpfgWBaL-3bWov-c2RTg1j6lW52zqdcehBjK5qg-WxDs1wbvM_T2T5YB2l9RnX9Ltw/s1600/july+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcm63VAZlOyt0JZ0YTDP_BDsoLzbTuHg0DCciZp_8rm9q7MYPjd3WfWMKW0V_GLSX4WLUxLnRyTpfgWBaL-3bWov-c2RTg1j6lW52zqdcehBjK5qg-WxDs1wbvM_T2T5YB2l9RnX9Ltw/s200/july+4.jpg" width="142" /></a> <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Independence Day is a federal holiday in the United States of America commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It's a day of picnics, patriotic parades, cookouts and family reunions culminating in a night of various fireworks displays.</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">While we plan to celebrate in our own unique way, we should be grateful to God not only for the freedom of our country but also for the freedom we have through Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> Have fun and be safe. Happy 4th of July!!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div>Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-17281198099838007782011-07-03T21:42:00.000-04:002011-07-03T21:42:41.957-04:00Sunday Reflections<div style="text-align: justify;"> I<span style="font-family: Calibri;">t’s been a great Sunday for me at GSJ today. When I arrived, I was determined to impact the worship experience with renewed determination. It took a minute for some to go with me, but after a while, we were off and running. Seeing that it was a holiday weekend, the crowd was somewhat down but we were delighted to have people in town visiting their families from Dallas, California and Cleveland just to name a few.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first Sunday is always a special day for me. It affords an opportunity to commemorate and celebrate Christ, and all He did for us on the cross through the observance of The Lord’s Supper. Although we only had one candidate for baptism, I will take that over no candidates any day.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I preached a message from James 1:3-4. It was entitled “The Truth about Trials.” I had no idea it would be so encouraging to so many. God deserves all praise and credit for all that transpired.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am excited as I plan to attend Frank Ray’s Expository Preaching and Church Growth Conference this week in Memphis, Tenn. The last time I attended was 2005, so you know it’s been a while. As a pastor it’s important to get away and allow others to pour into your life. Please pray for us this week and enjoy your 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> of July.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-10185993986459227102011-06-30T23:22:00.005-04:002011-07-01T12:46:45.498-04:00God Is In Control<div><div align="justify">I was thumbing through a file on my computer when I come across this piece of inspiration. Although I can not take credit for it, I hope my sharing it with you encourages you as it has me.<br /><br /><br /><br /> It is important for believers to remember that no matter what comes our way, God is in control of the situation; God is still going to take care of us.<br /><br />The story has been told of a believer, Frederick Nolan, who was fleeing from his enemies during a time of persecution in North Africa. Pursued by them over hill and valley with no place to hide, he fell exhausted into a wayside cave, expecting his enemies to find him soon.<br /><br />Awaiting his death, he saw a spider weaving a web. Within minutes, the little bug had woven a beautiful web across the mouth of the cave. The pursuers arrived and wondered if Nolan was hiding there, but on seeing the unbroken and unmangled piece of art, thought it impossible for him to have entered the cave without dismantling the web. And so they went on. Having escaped, Nolan burst out and exclaimed:<br /><br />"Where God is, a spider's web is like a wall,<br />Where God is not, a wall is like a spider's web."<br /><br />There is no need to wonder how God will take care of you; just be assured that He will.</div><div align="justify"> </div></div>Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-2779966789708318352011-01-25T07:18:00.007-05:002011-07-23T00:25:58.334-04:00Redeeming The Time<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: times new roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I am currently preaching a series of sermons entitled "Mandates for Ministry" at our church. So far, those who are poised to take God's work seriously are being richly edified while others are blowing in the wind. My prayer for the is that they will come along soon.</span></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">While studying Ephesians 5:16, I stumbled across an excellent illustration for effective time management that I wanted to share. I don't know who authored this piece but I'm sure it will bless you as it continues to bless me.</span> <br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The story is told of an expert in time management speaking to a group of business students. To drive home a point, he used an illustration those students never forgot. As he stood in front of the group of high-powered over-achievers, he said, "Okay, time for a quiz." He then pulled out a one-gallon wide-mouth mason jar and set it on the table in front of him. Then he produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one by one, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, "Is this jar full?" Everyone in the class said, "Yes." Then he said, "Really?" He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. Then he dumped some gravel in and shook the jar, causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the space between the big rocks. Then he asked the group once more. "Is this jar full?" By this time the class was on to him. "Probably not." one of them answered. "Good!" he replied. He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in the jar and it went into all the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the question. "Is this jar full?" "No!" the class shouted. Once again, he said, "Good!" Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. Then the expert in time management looked at the class and asked, "What is the point of this illustration?" One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how full your schedule is; if you try really hard you can always fit some more things in it." "No", the speaker replied, "That’s not the point. The truth this illustration teaches us is this: If you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all. What are the big rocks in your life; Your children, your spouse, your loved ones, your friendships, your education, your dreams, a worthy cause, teaching or mentoring others, doing things that you love, time for yourself, or your health? Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first, or you'll never get them in at all.” </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><br />
</div>Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-91108076491957476072010-10-06T23:35:00.007-04:002010-10-06T23:43:44.788-04:00Is Your Church Irrelevant?<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkQMWRgG9VpH5gP2UT0LkD5vdJBL0YgP-0YPoFKpAek0JYmu9P0FMA1BUapUJPO-F3EGaQKLuJlUyihGv2mUG4-bZ7yJDTtNVDb0pjU1nsQAQym4iPFUiLBfu_5sDpbj4MoDDpvDeyo8/s1600/284307.gif"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 140px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 140px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525144352899658146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkQMWRgG9VpH5gP2UT0LkD5vdJBL0YgP-0YPoFKpAek0JYmu9P0FMA1BUapUJPO-F3EGaQKLuJlUyihGv2mUG4-bZ7yJDTtNVDb0pjU1nsQAQym4iPFUiLBfu_5sDpbj4MoDDpvDeyo8/s320/284307.gif" /></a></div><div align="justify">When churches take their eyes off the horizon, the inevitable result is what can be called a “survival mentality.” Rather than accomplishing the plans of God to redeem and transform His creation, they forget their reason for being, which begins a long, agonizing slide into irrelevance. Irrelevant churches fret over inconsequential matters, nitpick their leadership, criticize one another, experiment with worldly strategies for growth, and chase vain philosophies. Meanwhile their surrounding communities hear little of Christ, and what they do hear is unattractive.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="right">Insights on Romans; Charles R. Swindoll; ppg 17</div>Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-40927549252695739832010-07-10T16:53:00.007-04:002010-07-10T17:04:19.116-04:00"O Taste and See"<div align="left"><strong><span style="color:#660000;">O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Psalm 34:8 (KJV)<br /></span></strong><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">At the University of Chicago Divinity School each year they have what is called "Baptist Day." On this day each one is to bring a lunch to be eaten outdoors in a grassy picnic area. Every "Baptist Day" the school would invite one of the greatest minds to lecture in the theological education center. </div><p align="justify">One year they invited Dr. Paul Tillich. Dr.Tillich spoke for two and one-half hours proving that the resurrection of Jesus was false. </p><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">He quoted scholar after scholar and book after book. He concluded that since there was no such thing as the historical resurrection, the religious tradition of the church was groundless, emotional mumbo-jumbo, because it was based on a relationship with a risen Jesus, who, in fact, never rose from the dead in any literal sense. He then asked if there were any questions. </div><p align="justify">After about 30 seconds, an old, dark skinned preacher with a head of short-cropped, woolly white hair stood up in the back of the auditorium.</p><div align="justify">"Docta Tillich, I got one question," he said as all eyes turned toward him. He reached into his sack lunch and pulled out an apple and began eating it. </div><div align="justify"><br />"Docta Tillich. CRUNCH, MUNCH” My question is a simple question,...CRUNCH, MUNCH..."Now, I ain't never read them books you read...CRUNCH,MUNCH.."and I can't recite the Scriptures in the original Greek...CRUNCH,MUNCH ..." I don't know nothin' about Niebuhr and Heidegger...CRUNCH,MUNCH...He finished the apple. "All I wanna know is: This apple I just ate, ------was it bitter or sweet?" </div><p align="justify">Dr. Tillich paused for a moment and answered in exemplary scholarly fashion: "I cannot possibly answer that question, for I haven't tasted your apple."</p><div align="justify"><br />The old white-haired preacher dropped the core of his apple into his crumpled paper bag, looked up at Dr. Tillich and said calmly---"Neither have you tasted my Jesus."</div><div align="justify"><br />The 1,000 plus in attendance could not contain themselves. The auditorium erupted with applause and cheers. Dr. Tillich thanked his audience and promptly left the platform.<br />Have you tasted Jesus? Jesus has risen... and he's coming back one day! </div><p align="justify">Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him If you have, rejoice in the hope of the resurrection that your faith in Him brings. </p>Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-10176794827949548822010-07-04T23:52:00.006-04:002010-07-05T00:01:05.045-04:00Independence Day Reflections<div align="justify">Today was a great day to be alive and to thank God for the many intangibles He affords us. It was Independence Sunday, a day that holds great significance in my life. </div><p align="justify">While many celebrated the birth of our country, participated in family reunions, hosted barbeque cookouts and witnessed fireworks displays, I could not help but remember that on this day twenty eight years ago, I was baptized after confessing Christ as Lord of my life. I will never forget it. It was as though it were yesterday. During that time we had Baptism and Communion in the evening and I will never forget the preacher preaching on the subject of God’s amazing grace. I am so glad I’m saved and don’t know what I would do without the Lord. </p><div align="justify"><br />Anticipating a potential shortage in attendance due to the holiday weekend, we decided to have one service instead of our usual two services. I praise God that the house was full and the spirit was high as the saints praised God for His wondrous works. I continued my series of sermons from Psalm 119 verses 33-40 entitled “Class is in Session.” God truly blessed the preaching moment and several people recommitted their lives to Jesus including two as candidates for baptism. God be praised!! </div><div align="justify"><br />After worship, my family honored an invitation to dinner at the home of one of the families of our church. Dinner was delicious as well as the rich fellowship we experienced. I am truly thankful for their hospitality as we had no real plans of our own. </div><div align="justify"><br />We also took time to attend the County fair on the south side of town. Although I did not do a whole lot my son and granddaughter had a ball.<br /></div><div align="justify">Soon after that, we returned home and shared in the enjoyment of firework with our neighbors who were only too kind to welcome us graciously. We truly have a great group of neighbors who look out for one another and are generous with their resources. </div><div align="justify"><br />Well, I have bored you long enough. Forgive my ramblings and all. It’s been a great day and I am low on energy. Time to say goodnight. We’ll talk soon!! </div>Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-11666928543091660982010-07-02T18:47:00.002-04:002010-07-02T18:50:42.843-04:00AWAITING THE DAWN<div align="justify"><strong>When shall I arise, and the night be gone? Job 7:4.<br /><br /><br /></strong>The bible records many long nights and sleepless saints watching for the morning (Psalms 130:6). While the world drinks and dances, souls hard pressed by many a foe ask, "Watchman, what of the night?" God gives His beloved sleep, but there are times when sleep gives way to prayer. Our Lord "continued all night in prayer to God" (Luke 6:12). But though weeping may endure for a night, joy cometh in the morning (Psalms 30:5), when He shall be as the light of the morning, even a morning without clouds (2 Samuel 23:4). And, best of all, we are headed for a city where there shall be no night (Revelation 21:25). </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="right">Vance Havner, <em>All The Days</em>, p. 98</div>Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-17052067112035328142010-04-26T07:59:00.002-04:002010-04-26T08:02:45.852-04:00"Strengthen Thy Stakes"<div align="justify">Lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes. Isaiah 54:2.<br /><br />If we are going to lengthen our cords we had better strengthen our stakes. The church today is intent on expanding borders and taking in more territory. That is good if along with it we strengthen what we have. Otherwise, we gain width at the expense of depth and become shallow.<br /><br />The Christian and the church need an intensive as well as an extensive ministry. Vast ingatherings of believers bring peril if we do not teach, indoctrinate, build up in the faith. To use A. J. Gordon's illustration, the average church is often like a congested lung with only a few cells doing the breathing. There is usually a faithful nucleus surrounded by a mass of nominal Christians.<br /><br />While we extend the borders of our tent, we had better check the center pole. We must fix the point of our compass properly before we describe our circles. We are in tremendous need of a ministry to strengthen our stakes that we may go further as we go deeper.<br /></div><div align="right"><br />Day by Day: A Book of Bible Devotions. By Vance Havner </div>Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-43990498848144217932010-02-26T10:14:00.003-05:002010-02-26T10:21:56.219-05:00Little Pictures<div align="justify"><span style="color:#660000;"><strong>God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work</strong></span>. <em><strong>2 Corinthians 9:8</strong></em><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">An old widow was living in poverty and want. A young man, hearing she was in need, went to visit her to see if he could be of any help. The old lady complained bitterly of her condition and remarked that her son in Australia was doing very well. Her friend inquired, “Doesn’t he do anything to help you?” She replied, “No, nothing. He writes to me regularly once a month but he sends me only some little pictures with his letters.” The young man asked to see the pictures she had received. To his surprise, he found each of them to be twenty-pound notes. The poor old lady did not realize the value of this foreign currency, but had imagined them to be mere pretty pictures. </div><div align="justify"><br />She had lived in poverty and want, whereas she could have had all the bodily comforts she desired and needed so much. We smile at the foolishness of the old woman, but how many of us are like her, living as though we were paupers instead of sons and daughters of the King? </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /><br /></div><p align="right">- <em><strong>David Jeremiah. (2002). Sanctuary (59).</strong></em> </p>Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-1184047583169618322010-02-11T06:23:00.002-05:002010-02-11T06:27:53.121-05:00Happy Birthday Jennifer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpa_5OxRCXPriDsQsDUDTsdO7RDXz8Tb6aB6GtEkz45y-ZNrri8BYJppxdvWwFngxKKd1ZylSZA3R1I2bQq0gLpAccHwonI9DyuosxhPD32Ip7PReRApvwwYuR5ux22KTeAPO1cGWZ6kU/s1600-h/family+001.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436946068686445970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpa_5OxRCXPriDsQsDUDTsdO7RDXz8Tb6aB6GtEkz45y-ZNrri8BYJppxdvWwFngxKKd1ZylSZA3R1I2bQq0gLpAccHwonI9DyuosxhPD32Ip7PReRApvwwYuR5ux22KTeAPO1cGWZ6kU/s200/family+001.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Today is my wife's birthday!!! That's right. It's all about her today. It's not the weather she prefers but we will make it meaningful. Happy Birthday My Sweet!!!</div>Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-79085188546766307712010-02-09T19:19:00.018-05:002010-02-09T19:43:30.699-05:00Grace So Amazing!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV04WLVC0QqaNFDgshPvQEmyQTY5kgxb5PvnB4rIBRaoayR6rt2kue4oqNXaZcqIk_umTseH6JVsJ1SSkOf3cbH9z2b-x7vtvxUxi3BrquYjhn4C-ptB1OV_dspr0p41_xVS-uBSzpan0/s1600-h/Owners%2520Manual%2520Christian%2520LIfe.jpg"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8jSSK10fFnigV_vC6CIqGwlUNQI5IRpeHKz94g0XQfIA2vy2dORl6EMeQQ-Yeka9aezq1vMR521_j4eZp8HyOsYO1bQYRyBMKAA2eLnVaeYcmOna3e8zQbOCYBKZtvMPTHMBSfGUshs/s1600-h/Owners%2520Manual%2520Christian%2520LIfe.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436404142911424514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8jSSK10fFnigV_vC6CIqGwlUNQI5IRpeHKz94g0XQfIA2vy2dORl6EMeQQ-Yeka9aezq1vMR521_j4eZp8HyOsYO1bQYRyBMKAA2eLnVaeYcmOna3e8zQbOCYBKZtvMPTHMBSfGUshs/s200/Owners%2520Manual%2520Christian%2520LIfe.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="justify">I am currently reading a book by Charles R. Swindoll entitled “The Owner’s Manual for Christians: The Essential Guide for a God- Honoring Life. In the first chapter, he talks a great deal about grace. He says “If there is any singular truth that distinguishes Christianity from all other religions, all other systems of belief, it is grace. Furthermore, he considers grace to be the bedrock truth upon which all of Christian belief and practice stand. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br />In an effort to illustrate his point, he borrows a practical thought from the late Donald Grey Barnhouse’s book “Let Me Illustrate.” It is a story featuring Sir Edward C. Burne-Jones. It says: </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /><strong><span style="color:#660000;">“Sir Edward C. Burne-Jones, the prominent nineteenth century English artist, went to tea at the home of his daughter. As a special treat his young granddaughter was allowed to come to the table; she misbehaved, and her mother made her stand in the corner with her face to the wall. Sir Edward, a well-trained grandfather, did not interfere with his grandchild’s training, but the next morning he arrived at his daughter’s home with paints and palette. He went to the wall where the little girl had been forced to stand, and there he painted pictures – a kitten chasing its tail, lambs in a field, goldfish swimming. He decorated the walls on both sides of that corner with paintings for his granddaughter’s delight. If she had to stand in the corner again, at least she would have something to look at." </span></strong></div><p align="justify"></p><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><em></em></strong></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">And so it is with our Lord. With debt of sin paid by Christ on our behalf, we will never suffer punishment. When we do things we should not, He may administer discipline, sometimes quite severely, but He never turns His back.... He doesn't send His child to hell! Neither do we fall from grace and get slammed behind the iron bars of the law. <em>pp. 6</em></div><div align="justify"><br />Thank God for His grace so amazing. I cannot count the numerous times God came to my rescue. Because He stooped down to save a wretch like me, I owe Him my life. It’s the very least I can do after all He’s done and continues to do. </div><div align="justify"></div>Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-86459392631824283272010-02-06T17:07:00.010-05:002010-02-06T17:37:34.175-05:00GSJ Milestone<div align="justify"><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#660000;">For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 3:13 (KJV)<br /></span></em></strong><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Greetings my fellow bloggers and followers!! It is with great joy that I share with you a recent milestone in the life of GSJ.<br /><br />Last Sunday, after a day filled with preaching, praise and receiving three great young men into our congregation, we were blessed to lay hands on seven new deacons. It has been my joy to train these men in matters pertaining to the call, character and conduct of biblical deacons for the past year.<br /></div><div align="justify"><br />Please pray that these men along with our current deacons will serve both Pastor and people with great diligence, steadfast determination, and unwavering humility. Courtesy of Bro. Armstrong, we share these photos with you. Talk to you soon!!<br /></div><div align="justify"><br /><br /></div><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435258653678471138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj045nwlFgKu08OCL4aKMjNCouRYlGjVC7kGAkhlj2VE_QlXGyunm3CbSv9K7nXkqcYho-OomlvOs4imennQApHbX8vvBMCKgdJa1V2D2uT-80uU7RF-mImrPQcUUIvcMJeud1itoCPZGQ/s320/DSC_0351.jpg" /> l to r. Deacons Zimmerman, Barker, Smalls, Buchanon, Chism, Green and Johnson. The picture below feature their wives.</p><p><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435258582135787122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3OkRhZl7uCGfLBrQlKnZ4gSypZWwf_P9Lsna9bjnuvuoOKrxaf6vTKUvO9ubxZwt1-dGgAAaUH8J-CeghpbAsDu9grrrrzVjgnvtXZ13fSlBX1ANOcGGTCeDCDpyPIAzmPrz8x5upI0/s320/DSC_0355b.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwC1ywtsU50eR8CdYmN_OMDnC_bnjbJG7-XJYezgUUhWfW51sxUufXhPAkRXQIWWw9oi2MtwYLMpJUfQIxhU9QQfNR__qTZNFnsi_WKzHmoVWS2B9TnUfqrRSSD0C5ZqzzyU82kNeaQAc/s1600-h/DSC_0355b.jpg"></a></p>Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-45677993870251779342010-01-11T18:17:00.003-05:002010-01-13T13:31:06.197-05:00Sunday Reflections<div align="justify">Happy New Year my fellow <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">bloggers</span>! I know what you’re thinking! It’s been a long time…right? Well, I will try my best to resume this medium with greater frequency this year. Besides, members of the church have already informed me of their desire to hear from me on a regular basis. I don’t know about that but we will see.<br /><br />This past Sunday was great. The spirit was high most of the day. We had one person to unite with our fellowship while the rest of us were being spiritually recharged. It was also Installation Sunday, a time set aside to officially consecrate our newly elected leaders for service to God and the people of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">GSJ</span>.<br />We did not have an afternoon service, as many churches do for this occasion, so I took it upon myself to charge our leaders to always maintain a servant and steward mentality. The message was taken from I Corinthians 4:1-5. The title of the message was “<strong>A Testimony of a Servant</strong>”, in which the following ideas were expressed:<br /><br /><br />I. The <strong><em>recognition</em></strong> of a <strong><em>servant</em></strong> (v.1)<br />II. The <em><strong>requirement</strong></em> of <em><strong>stewards</strong></em> (v.2)<br />III. The <strong><em>reward </em></strong>for<em><strong> service</strong></em> (v. 5b)<br /><br /><br />That evening, one of our associate ministers, Rev. James King, and I traveled to Gary to attend the annual Twelve Night Revival Service, sponsored by The Baptist Ministers Conference of Gary & Vicinity. This idea was brought to Gary some 32 years ago by Pastor Charles L. Emery of Pilgrim Baptist Church. It allows area pastors and churches to fellowship in praise, preaching and praying so that God will get the glory for the next twelve months. Needless to say it was a high time and the Lord really used Pastor William Collins of Mt. Zion, Hammond and Pastor Marion Johnson of Gary.<br /><br />If the Lord delays His return, I may attend the last night tomorrow to hear President Talley. Because of weather conditions, I was not able to attend any nights prior, but I was glad to be in attendance last evening. Please pray for the success of this revival. May it last far beyond January 12<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">th</span>. God Bless All!!!! </div>Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-695995848548649833.post-57341972578946833502009-11-21T10:57:00.001-05:002009-11-21T11:07:09.045-05:00ARE YOU A CARROT, AN EGG, OR A COFFEE BEAN?<div align="justify">A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed that as one problem was solved, a new one arose.<br /><br />Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.<br /><br />In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She then pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.<br /><br /><br />Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me, what do you see?"<br /><br />"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.<br /><br /><br />She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.<br /><br />The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, Mother?"<br /><br /><br />Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity -- boiling water -- but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.<br /><br /><br /><br />"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"<br /><br /><br />Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity? Do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?<br /><br /><br />Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?<br /><br /><br />Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor of your life. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate to another level?<br /><br /><br />How do you handle adversity? Are you changed by your surroundings or do you bring life, flavor, to them?<br /><br /></div><div align="right"><br /><br /><br />~ Author Unknown ~<br /></div>Pastor A. A. McGheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13476958834197321566noreply@blogger.com4